Kappa Sigma Tau Chapter Golf Tour

An annual tradition since 1985

The bonds of Kappa Sigma brotherhood begin in college and last a lifetime. For the Tau Chapter, those bonds are celebrated and strengthened each year through the Kappa Sigma Tau Chapter Golf Tour. Our annual tournaments allow us to reconnect with old Kappa Sigs and meet new ones -- actives, their parents, and Kappa Sigma friends -- men and women from all over the country.

1996 Tau Open winning team: Robert Glauser '11, Mike Doherty '72, Jim Pritchett '71, and George Cox '70.

Golf is a game well suited to Kappa Sigs. It's challenging, competitive, social, and fun. And, like the Tau Chapter itself, our tournament tradition has endured through difficult times, facing rainouts, low turnouts, course cancellations, snow, and, more recently, the pandemic. 

The Tau Chapter Golf Tour was launched in 1985 with its flagship event -- The Tau Open, a two-day, four-person scramble held in Lakeway, just west of Austin. More than 20 teams played in the inaugural tournament on the beautiful Yaupon and Live Oak courses, and that tradition has continued with team numbers increasing over the years. This year, the Tau Open has a new venue: Austin's Falconhead Golf Course near Lakeway.

In 2008, the Denton Cooley Tau Classic was added to the tour as a one-day, four-person scramble held in Houston. Dr. Cooley emceed the event and played every year until his passing in 2016. Since then, several of his family members have participated in his honor. The Cooley Tau Classic was first held at the historic Memorial Park golf course but is now played at Gus Wortham, the original Houston Country Club.

The tournaments are fully handicapped, and anyone can win. A glance at some of the past winners proves that point: Dude Holley, Bill Zwiener, and George Cox, to name just a few of the more auspicious champs!

Tau Open Golf Champions



Denton Cooley Tau Classic Champions

Chuck Berson '67, holding the Cooley Tau Classic trophy won along with teammates Tommy Schillaci '67, Joe Lucia '67, George Sarvadi '16, and John Kimball '69 in 2017.

Net proceeds from the tournaments help support the Tau Chapter's annual rush campaign. Entry fees and generous sponsorships pay for each event, which includes meals, beverages, and prizes. In addition, winners' names are engraved on the tournament's permanent trophy -- a coveted honor that includes some of the finest golfers among Kappa Sigs.

Sponsors over the years have included: Guero's Taco Bar, Tito's Handmade Vodka, the Oil & Gas Journal, Warren Wildlife Gallery, The Denton Cooley Family, and a host of individual alums, including Reggie Tuck, Walter Beard, Mike Rose, John Martin, John Kimball, and Jay Chernosky.

Both tournaments are played in the Spring. We hope to continue the Tau Chapter Golf Tour for many years to come and expand the tour to include a Dallas/Fort Worth venue in the future.

Five-time winning team John “Coach” Newberry '78, Jay “Nose” Chernosky '78, Rick “Deadeye” Warren '78, and Jay “Tex” Houren '78 have played in every Tau Open to date.

Tau Open 2019 winners: Andrew Osterhus '08, Evan Smith '08, Matt Parker '09, and Ernest Hotze '08.

Denton Cooley Tau Classic group photo, March 16, 2010, at Houston's Memorial Park.

The Tau Open Memorial Trophy donated by Steve Adger and Joe Lucia.

Dr. Cooley opening his namesake tournament with the first drive.

Tau Open's original planning committee: Loyd Wright '75, Jeff Lyons '68, Tom McCarthy '73, Tim Herman '63, Jim Pritchett '71, Joe Bailey'73, Mark Hablinski '73, Andy Ivins '69, and George Cox '70.

Tau Open Golf Tournament group photo: April 29, 2017

John Ross '69, Roy Markum '68, Tom Wimberly '69, and Steve Adger '69 at the 2018 Cooley Tau Classic.

Bill Zwiener '73, E.J. Devine '73, Steve Horn '73, and Joe Mike Piazza '73 at the 2020 Tau Open.

Denton Cooley Tau Classic Tournament group photo, Gus Wortham Park Golf Course: June 4, 2019.

Cooley Tau Classic winning team 2020: Denton Cooley’s grandsons, John Plumb, Peter Kaldis, Tripp Kimball, and Robert Plumb. Kaldis is sporting his late grandfather’s vintage hat.

Cooley Tau Classic 2021 Low Gross team with an impressive score of 56: Mark Hablinski '73, Philip Hablinski, Bill Finnegan '75, and David Gardner.